Each year, Microsoft and the League of Innovation award three community college students who show great potential in the field of technology with the Terry O’Banion Student Technology Awards.
This year, Irvin De La Torre, a student since 2006 and a member of the STS program, won the Student Developer Award, which grants him a $5,000 scholarship and a Microsoft Office suite package, according to Debra Stoppiro, STS manager.
“I didn’t expect it all. It was weird, and it took me awhile to let it sink in,” said De La Torre. “I was very surprised and proud to win the award.”
According to his nomination letter, De La Torre began his troubleshooting curiosity and diagnosing skills with his own computer at home. Through research and a sense of resourcefulness, he managed to solve many computer and software problems.
De La Torre also said he will take his award money and pay for his UTEP tuition when he transfers next semester. As advice to other technology students, De La Torre talked about perseverance.
“Set your goals and see what you like,” he said. “Shoot for it and keep on going, but don’t give up.”
As a PC tech at the Valle Verde campus, he makes sure that the computers of faculty and staff are
functioning properly. Even with a busy schedule,
De La Torre manages to keep a 3.6 GPA.
“He [Irvin] goes out of his way to participate in STS events and still has time to mentor his fellow coworkers who haven’t been here as long,” said Stoppiro.
De La Torre is certified in his field of study, which is a validation of the skills needed by today’s computer support professionals.
